Author: Suzanne Rust

What does it take to get me to really sit still and shut up? Being immobilized by needles and electrodes in a dark room, apparently. No, this was not some wild and wretched sounding 50 Shades of Grey moment, just an attempt to alleviate a very un-sexy inflamed tendon in my hand with a 30-minute acupuncture session. Being rendered basically useless and left alone with my thoughts made me realize that apart from going to sleep at night, it’s rare that I take time to really simmer down. I think that almost everyone has this problem, but perhaps mothers are most guilty of not taking proper quiet time. Be still! We tell children to do it all the time, but most of us can’t get the hang of it. We often read to relax, or watch television to try and zone out, but we are actually filling our heads with more information; and exercise or yoga, as wonderful as they are, are all about bodies in motion. I am talking about the full-on Zen of …

While I am sure that Samson had many other things going for him besides his strength and luscious locks, he kind of lost it without his hair. I wrote the following post a few years ago when I lost some of my hair and I kind of lost it as well. After a long tearful adventure that involved bad hair days, a weave (never again!), and a cut, it’s grown back healthy and strong, but that is now, and this was then. What follows is a cautionary tale: I had contemplated a hair weave for a hot second back in the ’80s when so many of us lusted after Lisa Bonet’s flowing curls. But I quickly realized that I couldn’t be bothered and never gave it another thought. That is, until recently. About a year ago, when the grays started to taunt me a little too much, I thought, instead of just covering them up, why not get a little color too? I have always played it so safe with my hair, so it was …

NAME: Dr. Deborah Cohen AGE: 44 OCCUPATION: OB/GYN in San Francisco, California WHO SHE IS: Who stages a dance party before they’re scheduled for a double mastectomy? Dr. Deborah Cohan had the whole operating room laughing and shaking it to Beyoncé’s “Get Me Bodied” before her surgery. This mom of two is a Buddhist and an OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist) in San Francisco, California. She has always tried to incorporate the teaching principles of movement to her team of obstetricians and gynecologists to help cultivate their physical listening skills, so her pre-op dance party makes a lot of sense. WHY SHE INSPIRES ME: Deborah’s positive energy was off the charts, and she proved that attitude is everything. If she was able to approach a double mastectomy with such bravado, how dare I be afraid of life’s lesser evils?! When I find myself grumbling about something stupid, I think of her and do a little dance.

NAME: Melissa Harris-Perry AGE: 44 OCCUPATION: Host of the Melissa Harris-Perry show on MSNBC WHO SHE IS: Sure she had her mea culpa recently, but it doesn’t change the fact that Melissa Harris-Perry is one of the most well-informed news anchors on television (or, as The Atlantic put it, “the smartest nerd in the room”). She approaches news with intelligence, compassion, and humor, and her unique spin on politics, race, women’s issues and anything else she has to say, always keeps me riveted. She is also the mother of two girls (on Valentine’s day she gave birth to daughter number two). WHY SHE INSPIRES ME: Melissa is one of the smartest, most knowledgable and personable people on television; she never ceases to amaze me. I love hearing her unique spin on politics, race, women’s issues and anything else she has to say. Luckily for me, she’s active on social media, so I can follow her on Twitter and hope that some of her brilliance will rub off on me!

Good gifting offers a joyful rush, and when those gifts actually give something back? Well, that’s off-the-charts good. Whether you’re interested in helping feed hungry children or keeping the oceans clean, you’ll find a way to spread a little philanthropy around with these charitable selections. 1. Benefits: Survivors of Domestic Violence Me&Ro Fearlessness Sterling Silver Script Pendant The Joyful Heart Foundation, founded by actress Mariska Hargitay, helps heal and empower survivors of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. 100% of the net proceeds of this Me&Ro necklace go towards the cause. I love the idea of giving this to friends who are powering through a rough patch to remind them of their fearlessness. $160, joyfulheartfoundation.org 2. Benefits: Child Hunger Creme de Corps Limited Edition Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butters Just when you thought Kiehl’s’ products couldn’t get any better, it turns out that 100% of net profits (up to $100,000) of two new, limited-edition scents from their indulgently rich Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter line (Grapefruit and Coriander) and will help …

Last week I broke my rule. I had just come from the gym and had to dash to the Upper West Side and take care of some business. Instead of stopping home for a quick shower, change of clothing, and a touch of mascara and lip gloss, I decided to go “as is.” As soon as I got off the train, I saw a TV producer I had been hoping to re-connect with and pitch some ideas. In my big wool hat (hiding my crazy gym-hair), sloppy sweats and sneakers, let’s just say I was not ready for primetime. I looked like hell. I slipped past him. I am a firm believer in leaving the house looking pretty good, I won’t lie. For me, that doesn’t mean a fully tarted up face and heels, but I always want to look decent; because it’s true, as I was just reminded the hard way, you never know who you might meet. I grew up with a Georgia Peach of a mom who didn’t leave the house without …

Who: Meryl Salzinger, 40s, from New York City. What is your day job? “I’m a baby wrangler.” What the heck is a baby wrangler? “The person who gets the babies or children to do what they need to do on a still photo or TV commercial shoot, all the while keeping them happy and safe.” How does your job work, exactly? “A photographer, client, or ad agency brings me in to use my bag of tricks that get the babies or children to do what the ad requires. I try to be the first person a baby or child sees when they arrive so that I can give them a friendly, loving welcome. Then I pretty much run back and forth from the kid to the camera lens to get the expression and position the photographer needs.” How did you get the gig? “For five years I was a photographer’s assistant at an in-house studio for a children’s textbook company. I also produced, styled, and wrangled shoots. After that, I did studio management for a …